Feliciano Lopez, 41, joins Jimmy Connors as the only quarterfinalist on the ATP tour over the age of 40 in decades.
Spanish player Feliciano Lopez made history at the Mallorca Championships, taking place between 25th June and July 1st, as he became the oldest player to reach the quarter-final in almost thirty years.
Lopez, currently ranked at no. 634 in the world, defeated Australian Jordan Thompson 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-3 in the round of 16. His previous matches saw him beat another Australian player, Max Purcell in straight sets.
In reaching the quarter-finals, Lopez joins an exclusive group containing himself and American tennis veteran Jimmy Connors, who reached the final eight at Halle in 1995, at the age of 42.
Connors, now aged 70, attained world No.1 during his career. His achievements also include five US Open titles, two Wimbledons, and one Australian Open title. He was the first male tennis player to win Grand Slam titles across three different surfaces.
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41-year-old @feliciano_lopez defeats Thompson 7-6(6) 1-6 6-3 at @MallorcaChamps to become the oldest @atptour quarter-finalist since @JimmyConnors, 42, at 1995 Halle. They are the only two players over the age of 40 to reach a tour-level quarter-final in the last 40 years.
The Mallorca Championships will be Lopez's last tournament before retirement. Throughout his career, Lopez has played twenty-six seasons on tour, having made his debut in 1998, just three years after Connors set his age-related record.
He has 506 wins and holds a tournament record in appearing in 21 consecutive Roland Garros main draws. His career has contained many highs and many lows, as he is also the player holding the record for the most ATP losses, currently at 489. Whether his win or loss total will increase following his final matches will soon be revealed.
Lopez will play Yannick Hanfmann in the final eight on Thursday.
